New mobile forensic labs to help police in testing drugs and suspected consumers in Dakshina Kannada district

The new mobile forensic laboratory allotted by the government of Karnataka to the police of Mangaluru city and Dakshina Kannada district is expected to help police not just to test drugs but also carry out presumptive tests of narcotic drugs that are seized.

The new mobile forensic laboratories were recently unveiled by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during a function held in Bengaluru.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy and Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police K. Arun informed that each mobile forensic laboratory has been allotted 50 multi-drug testing kits. The labs will be used to test urine samples of suspected drug consumers. The multi-drug testing facility in the mobile laboratories are in addition to the same facility offered by the Forensic Science departments of private medical colleges, the officers informed.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) H.N. Mithun said the mobile laboratories are also used to carry out presumptive test of narcotic drugs seized by the police. The scene of crime officers (SOCO) in the mobile testing laboratory will test drug samples using a kit. Based on the readings, an opinion about the type of drug that has been seized will be given. Belgian Melonis dogs were also being used for detection of drugs, the DCP said.

The mobile laboratory will also be used for crime investigation. The mobile laboratory will be taken to the scene of crime, where the personnel will collect, among other things, fingerprints, samples of explosives from site of blast, collect hair and other human samples. The laboratory has a freezer to store the samples for despatch later, in a safe manner, for detailed testing at one of the Forensic Science Laboratories, Mr. Mithun said.

In 2025, the Mangaluru city police arrested 231 alleged drug peddlers and 723 consumers in connection with 717 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. A total of 324 kg of cannabis and 6 kg of synthetic drugs, worth ₹7.5 crore were seized. Of the arrested persons, 953 were Indians, and one was a foreigner.

Till June 30, 142 peddlers and 438 drug consumers were arrested, and drugs worth ₹8.08 crore was seized. As many as 95 accused, including six foreigners, were in judicial custody.

in 2025, a total of 5,340 college students were tested, and 14 were found positive for drug consumption. In the six months of this year, 1,524 students were checked, and eight were found positive.

The Dakshina Kannada district police arrested 33 drug peddlers and 20 drug consumers, and seized narcotic drugs worth ₹3.61 crore in 2025. In the six months of this year, 44 drug peddlers and 48 drug consumers were arrested, and narcotic drugs worth ₹1.11 crore were seized.

Dr. Arun said the ongoing ‘Operation Rise’ and ‘Beda Bro’ campaign by the government of Karnataka against narcotic drugs will add further impetus to the district administration’s aim to make Dakshina Kannada free from drug sale and consumption. “With our activity, along with support from students, parents and institutions, we can make Dakshina Kannada free from drugs in another six months,” Mr. Reddy said.